It may sound counterintuitive, but professionally applied makeup
can make a woman appear more competent and more likeable in the
workplace, the study found.

The study, which was paid for by Procter & Gamble--whose
multitude of makeup products can be found on drugstore
shelves--asked 149 adults to judge photos of women wearing no
makeup, and in "natural," "professional," and "glamorous" looks.

The natural and professional looks had a significant positive
effect on "likeability" and "professional," while the glamorous
effect did not.

And women in natural makeup were found to look more trustworthy,
while women in glamorous makeup were found to be less
trustworthy.

So here's what you should apply to your face before heading into
the office, according to the NYT:

There are times when you want to give a powerful ‘I’m in charge
here’ kind of impression, and women shouldn’t be afraid to do
that,” by, say, using a deeper lip color that could look shiny,
increasing luminosity, said Sarah Vickery, another author of the
study and a Procter & Gamble scientist . “Other times you
want to give off a more balanced, more collaborative appeal.”

In that case, she suggested, opt for lip tones that are light to
moderate in color saturation, providing contrast to facial skin,
but not being too glossy.

Facial symmetry has also been shown to have an effect on
coworkers' perceptions.